A moment of truth nears Down Under

A moment of truth nears Down Under

Kavi Chongkittavorn
The Nation
Asia News Network
Bangkok

Australia has to decide whether it wants to climb on board the
vessel known as the East Asian Summit (EAS). Time is running out
-- as is the patience of the member countries of ASEAN. Ongoing
rows with Indonesia over the conviction for drug-smuggling of
Schapelle Corby, and with China over a defecting Chinese
diplomat, are complicating the overall scheme of things for
Canberra.

At a recent meeting in Vientiane, senior officials from
Australia and ASEAN met to thrash out a formula that would allow
Canberra to be part of the EAS, which will be held in Kuala
Lumpur in mid-December. However, the meeting was inconclusive
because the Australian side said it needed time to study the
arrangement, and, more importantly, consult its parliament.

Questions raised by Australia had to do with the impact that
participation would have on the country's security commitment to
its allies and the United Nations if and when it decided to sign
the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation (TAC) in Southeast Asia.
ASEAN responded to these questions the same way it responded to
India, Japan and South Korea. The latter two were staunch U.S.
allies that had similar concerns, like Australia, and finally
acceded to the TAC.

Since the TAC serves as the code of conduct within Southeast
Asia, signing the agreement would not have any affect on
Australia's broader security commitments overseas, especially in
connection with the U.S., which is a pivotal concern. Also, the
TAC is only effective within the Southeast Asian archipelago.

Certain quarters in Canberra and within the academic community
have a strong mindset that signing the TAC would compromise the
country's security alliance with the U.S. At the moment, ASEAN is
looking for a way out for Australia to associate with the TAC so
that it can take part in the EAS. It will address Australian
concerns over the timeframe for completing consultations and
lobbying for the support of the country's various constituencies.

Japan's accession to the TAC in December 2003 during the
commemorative ASEAN-Japan summit was rather unique. It was then
Japanese foreign minister Yurigo Kawaguchi who signed a
declaration of intent to accede to the TAC. In return, ASEAN
foreign ministers jointly signed a declaration of consent to
allow Japan's accession.

Japan initially wanted to have a signing ceremony in Tokyo
during the commemoration, but it was unable to do so. The
compromise allowed the Japanese emperor, who must sign any
international agreements, to attend to this matter at his
convenience.

This procedure was designed to provide Japan with some
flexibility so that it could proceed with the plan. Both Japan
and ASEAN have advised Australia to use this approach as well.

It is apparent that after a decade of less than harmonious
relations, both Australia and ASEAN want to start anew in the
interest of forming a stronger, broader partnership with Asia.
The change in views and attitude has been significant on both
sides. However, given the ups and downs of ASEAN-Australian
relations, it is clear that cooperation is subject to the
political temperatures of the day. The harsh jail-term handed
down to Corby has already led to a fair amount of Indonesia-
bashing in Australia.

Unfortunately, these relations are sensitive to political
mishaps and public outbursts on both countries, as emotions run
high. The recent parcel scare at the Indonesian embassy in
Canberra is a case in point. Some ASEAN countries want Australia
to sign up for the TAC now, the sooner the better, because of
fears that uncertainties could cloud relations again.

ASEAN is very sensitive towards Washington's deep-rooted
skepticism of any exclusive East Asian club. Having key U.S.
allies like Japan, South Korea and Australia involved in the EAS
and branding it as a non-exclusive body would serve to counter
any possible suggestion that the EAS is an anti-U.S. grouping.